Signal lamp



Oct. 25, 1932. F. J. Loss 1,884,014

SIGNAL LAMP Filed Aug. 10. 1927 EUQTUEV flaw/c ILoss Patented Get. 25, 1932 f UNITED STATES FRANK J. LOSS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN SIGNAL LAMP Application filed August 10, 1927. Serial No. 211,872.

7 This invention relates to signal lamps and the principal object of the invention is the provision of new and improved means for projecting a beam of parallel rays of light surrounded by a band of divergent rays, whereby the signal will not only be clearly visible at a distance but will also be discernible at short distances from points without said beam.

Another object of the invention is the pro ision of a signal lamp having new and improved reflector and reflector holder mechanism so constructed that the reflector and light bulb are protected from dust, dirt, moisture and the like, and at the same time are readily accessible.

Further objects of the invention are the provision of a new and improved signal lantern that is cheap to manufacture, easily assembled, eflicient in use, and one in which the source of light and the reflector are protected from dust, dirt, and the like.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a signal lamp or lantern, parts in section and parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of a portion of the reflector and lens support, showing the invention in position therein;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the same with parts broken away; and

- Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the. lens.

In the construction of signal lanterns, and the like, it is the usual practice to provide the same with reflectors with parabolic curves for projecting beams of light to great distances for signal purposes. It is commonpractice to mount signal lamps both in lowered and in elevated positions as for instance, in the block system of signals. These signals can be readily seen at a distance but when the train approaches to within a short distance of the lamp, the signal is not visible because the eye of the engineer or observer is without the beam of parallel rays. The present invention seeks to remedy this defect by providing means for projecting a beam of paraldesignates the body portion or casing of a lamp or lantern, which is provided with a vertical slidable door 7 and pivoted handle 8, as is common in such constructions.

T he body portion 6 is provided on its front side with an opening 9 through which the lens and reflector support 10 extends and is rigidly secured therein, in any suitable man ner. In the form shown, the opening9 is provided with a marginal flange ll'returnbent over the edge of the flange 12 of a retaining ring 13. The outer periphery of the retaining ring is flanged to form a rabbet 14 for receiving the flange 15 of the support 10. The support 10 is circular in cross section and is preferably though not necessarily tapered rearwardly. The front portion of the support 10 is flanged as at 15 to provide an abutment or seat for the lens 16. T he lens 16 may be colored, if desired, to constitute a colored signal.

A visor 17 having a flange 18 in engagementwith the edge of the lens 16, is attached to the front of said lens by means of channel clamping rin 19 which engages over the flanges 15, 18, the lens 16 and the rabbet 14 for holding the parts in assembled relation, in the usual or any well known manner. The rear of the support 10 is provided with a reflector holder21 which may be hinged as at 22, see Fig. 3, to the rear end of said holder. The holder is preferably though not neces sarily cut away at one side of its rear end to afford more ready access to the bulb and theclosure is provided with a corresponding flange or lip 23 for closing the same. The flange 23 1s preferably provided with a hug 2% which is adapted to be engaged by a spring latch 25 for holding the support in closed position. By means of this construction access may be readily had to the reflector and light bulb, and the same will be held in a 29. A handle 31 extending across the back of the reflector may be provided for screwing the reflector mounting on and unscrewing the same from the flange 26. V

The lower wall of the support 10 is pro vided with an opening 32 and attached to said wall is a clamping member 33 having an opening 34 in alin ement with the opening 32 through which the connector or bulb support 35 is adapted to extend. In order that the bulb support 35 shall have a universal connection with the clamping member 33, a split ring 36 has a transversely curved periphery for mounting in the opening 34, the walls of the opening being curved and transversely concave for receiving said ring. A bolt and wing nut 37 is employed for forcing the parts of the clamp together for clamping the ring 36. By means of this arrangement, the lamp bulb 38 which is attached to the support 35 in the usual manner may be adjusted to any desired positionby releasing the clamping member and sliding the support through the ring 36 to the desired position and then turning or adjusting the support35 so that the bulb 38 will be at the focus of the reflector, after which the nut 37 is turned to clamp the parts in adjusted position.

.The lens 16 and the principal reflecting surface of the reflector 28 have common focus 41 whereby when the bulb 38 is properly adjusted light rays will be pro1ected forwardly from the focus directly from the source and this will be reinforc d by the rays reflected back through the focus by the reflector. These rays will pass through the lens and will emerge from said lens in a beam of l e-e seen parallel rays whereby toe signal may at great distances.

The reflector 28'is provided with two re fleeting surfaces. One of the surfaces is struck on the radius of a sphere and the other portion is preferably on a curve of dif ferent radius. As shown, the central portion 39 of the reflector is struck on the radius of a sphere and when the bulb 38 is placed at the focus 41 of this portionof the reflector, rays of light 42 will be reflected back through the focus and will emerge from the lens 16 in parallel rays as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The outer portion 43 of the reflector, which forms a circular band about the inner section 39of the reflector, is of such a curve that the rays of light 44 will not be reflected through the focal point 41, but will pass through the lens 16 and be projected divergently at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the reflector, so there will be a belt of divergent rays of light all around the parallel rays 42. These divergent rays 44 will form a lighted area all about the parallel rays whereby the signal will be visible, especially at comparatively close range, even though the eye of the observer is not within the area of the beam of parallel rays. I

While the curve of the peripheral band is shown as reflecting the divergent rays of light in such a manner that those rays do not crossthe beam of parallel rays 42 beyond the lens, it isunderstood it may be otherwise. It is immaterial how the rays 44 are reflected so long as a band of divergent rays surrounds the beam projected forwardly from the lens.

Since the filament of the bulb 38 is not a point there will, of course, be rays that will not pass through the lens parallel to the axis thereof, and tliese'scattered rays will also assist the rays 44 in forming a luminous divergent or cone shaped band of light about the beam of parallel rays 42.

It is thought from the foregoing taken in connection with the accompanying drawing that the construction and operation of my device will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and that various changes in size, shape, proportion and details of construction may be made without departing from the sp rit and scope of the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

A railway signal lantern comprising a casing having an opening in one side and a door opposite said opening, a tubular member secured in said opening, a lens in the outer end of said tubular member, a movable closure opposite said door for closing the inner end of said member, a reflector, means adjustably mounting said reflector on said closure whereby the same may be adjusted to a position having a common focus with said lens, an electriclamp, means-for mounting said lamp on said tubular member and means for adjusting said lamp longitudinally and transversely of the axis of said reflector for positioning said lamp on the common focus of said lens and reflector.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRANK J. LOSS.

IOU 

